Ibanez April 2026: 8540PIII

Aw, darn... Ibanez elevated the 540P into its J-Custom tier. This gorgeous version is the 8540PIII with the rather obligatory gold hardware & TOL inlay. I guess these are obligatory details of a J-Custom which I personally do not fancy. Pickups are DiMarzio's Air Norton S (n) & Tone Zone (b).

Already, the beef with this one is that block heel; fans are asking why such a hindrance was preserved when everyone is looking forward to venture up to the 24th fret these days. Anyway, this one is currently not available in this region.

Pics: Ibanez

Ibanez: June 2025

The only new model this June from the Ibanez camp: RG8520. Understandably so because come Summer, all the outstanding NAMM models would be released. This is a J-Custom so all the elite appointments are in there. I still can't come to terms with the TOL inlay, it messes up my fretboard navigation. 

Pic: Ibanez

Ibanez 2023 (6)

The J.Custom gets a new model this year; RG8870. The catalog already offered an RG8570, which, from the images depicted above, look darn close. These sport DiMarzio pickups albeit different models & the 8870 gets a covered bridge humbucker which looks a little misplaced against the black hardware. It really belongs in the 8570 (chrome hardware).

The major difference here which is not obvious - the 8870 gets the Axe Design Lab treatment. Meaning - something that isn't the usual deal had been implemented in the instrument's design / spec. In this case, the 8870 is chambered body instrument (alder), while the 8570 is a solid affair (mahogany).

Pics: Ibanez

JCS21U

It's one of those rare occasion when Ibanez decided to give the S-Series a J-Custom treatment. This is a JCS21U. Liking this green version & they kept it as a 22-fretter; my preference. Pickups are DiMarzio Titans. I don't fancy cream pickups & the gold hardware, the rest are solid appointments.

This all-access rounded neck heel is also a great feature, befitting of it's custom nature. The thing about J-Customs, they are not on a standard distribution practice. Some will debut in preferred international store fronts, some online distributors will get some pieces as well. Also, these instruments are competing against American-made guitars in terms of prices, they don't fare as well in terms of re-sale value. 

Pics: Guitarsale/ Ibanez Japan

Ibanez JCs

It's a good summer over at State-side; Ibanez's J-Custom finally made it there- RG20126...

We have our J-Customs here before but the RG8420 is new at Swee Lee's BB showroom.

It's interesting to see that Ibanez had given them different model references because by the looks of it, they are identical. However, the difference lies under that maple top; the RG20126 sports an alder body while the RG8420 is mahogany. Cult Ibanez fans would be a little annoyed not seeing DiMarzios in these top tier models (both guitars featur Duncan's C5 (B) & Jazz (N). I'd reckon they'd wait for other models to come by.

I've tried the RG8420 a few days ago through a tube amp & it's one heck of a player. No, not because it features my preferred pickup brand but because it's a well-made, good-sounding instrument in its own right. I'm not keen on one though due to that vine inlay as it alludes too much to the JEM; I'm not into elaborate fretboard markings so I'd give this one a miss.

The looks

The Ibanez JC models go one-up this year, visibly evident above- gorgeous cosmetic tops & that very inviting neck-through design. But these fine offerings are currently limited to the Japanese market but we all want one, don't we?

Ibanez: RG8570

Yes, the J Custom is made available here in the mean time, but in a very limited quantity. The RG8570 you see above is the only model currently available (limited finish options as well) through an authorised distributor, I managed to try it last week.

It’s beyond doubt the guitar is a wonderful piece of material craftsmanship. The feel of the neck in particular is very inviting; it’s a hybrid of freshness & that typical broken-in, relic touch. It’s definitely shred-worthy as I’ve discovered.

The pickups on board are DiMarzios, a trio of Tone Zone (B), True Velvet (M) & Air Norton (N) would attend to your tonal needs. Under loads of distortion, these sustain very well & manifest that typical creamy DiMarzio voicing we love to hear.

There’s this bit of alchemy that makes the J Custom different from the Prestige range. It’s attributable to the overall feel & tone of the instrument as you play it in your hands. The asking price of this guitar is steep: $3,599.00 If you are into aristocratic possessions, the RG8570 will serve you well. If you are into some charming overdriven tones, this one has plenty as well.

Personal reflections
I respect the J Custom series but its features are excessive in terms of looks, I don’t value instruments this way. I dislike vine inlays in any manifestations, I prefer boring dots instead. I also do not favour the DiMarzio voicings; don’t get me wrong- I own some instruments with these pickups on board but I guess they are not ear candy for me. Right now, the J Custom is quite the least desireable guitar on my list…